A powerful British television film that dramatises a real-life murder case has become an unexpected hit on Netflix UK, rapidly climbing the streaming service's charts since its quiet addition this week.
From BBC to Netflix Success
Responsible Child, which originally aired on BBC in 2019, has found a new audience on the streaming platform. The compelling drama tells the harrowing story of a 12-year-old boy facing a severe prison sentence while standing trial for murdering his mother's abusive boyfriend.
The film runs for just under 90 minutes and represents a significant achievement in British television. Directed by Nick Holt and written by Sean Buckley of Skins fame, the production has been praised for its sensitive handling of difficult subject matter.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Success
Billy Barratt's performance as Ray, the young protagonist confronting the legal system, earned widespread critical recognition. The young actor made history by becoming the youngest person ever to win best actor at the 48th International Emmy Awards for his role.
Following this breakthrough performance, Barratt has continued to build an impressive career with roles in the horror film Bring Her Back and the science fiction series Invasion.
The film itself achieved remarkable success at award ceremonies, securing best TV movie or mini-series at the International Emmys and best single drama at the Baftas.
Audience and Critical Reception
Upon its initial release, Responsible Child received overwhelming praise from both critics and viewers. One IMDB user described being 'left sobbing and in bits,' while another noted that Billy Barratt 'rightly steals the limelight from the more experienced cast.'
Metro's own review captured the film's powerful impact, stating: 'A story like this is meant to spark debate, and it grips you tight, and leaves you struggling for breath in pure frustration and anger and pity for everyone involved.'
The review continued to praise the drama as 'an intricate look at trauma and how people react when those they love are in danger,' describing it as 'a heartbreaker that deserves all the recognition.'
Exploring Complex Legal Questions
The film features an impressive supporting cast including Tom Burke from Strike, Owen McDonnell of Killing Eve fame, and Michelle Fairley from Game of Thrones.
BBC drama controller Piers Wenger highlighted the film's significance when it first aired, noting that it 'raises one of the most complex and challenging questions of our time.'
The drama examines England's legal system, which permits children as young as 10 to be tried as adults for murder. The film specifically explores whether children should be tried as adults in the most severe criminal cases.
Owen McDonnell revealed in a 2019 interview that the film was 'based on a specific incident from about six years ago,' though the production team chose not to directly copy or manipulate the real events to fit a narrative.
Connection to Real-Life Case
While the film doesn't explicitly name the real individuals involved, Responsible Child bears striking similarities to the case of Jerome and Joshua Ellis, who killed their stepfather at their Surrey home in 2013.
Fourteen-year-old Jerome and 23-year-old Joshua Ellis were found guilty of stabbing Neil Tulley 65 times. Their defence argued that Tulley had been abusive and had previously threatened to kill Joshua.
McDonnell appreciated that the film remained 'really grey and didn't pick a side,' instead showing that 'behind these headlines are much more complex stories to be told.'
He emphasised that 'no 10-year-old does something like that out of malice,' suggesting that complex circumstances drive such extreme actions.
Responsible Child is now available to stream on Netflix UK, offering viewers a thought-provoking examination of trauma, justice, and the complexities of the British legal system when dealing with young offenders.
